Although All-American hurdler Katie Grimes has already broken several records at Texas Tech, she said she plans to use what time she has left to do even better.

Grimes, a senior from Canyon, Texas, competes in the sprint hurdles and is currently pursuing a degree in petroleum engineering at Texas Tech.

Last year, Grimes broke the indoor school record in the 55-meter hurdles and 60-meter hurdles. Meanwhile, during the outdoor season, she was the Big 12 Runner-Up in the 100-meter hurdles.

Grimes earned second team All-American during both the indoor and outdoor seasons last year, but she said she still has room to improve this year.

"It was a huge honor to receive second team All-American," she said. "I didn't do as well as I wanted to, I wanted to make it to finals, but it got me to a good point to roll off of for the upcoming season. Now I have that experience to help me be more successful."

Grimes also had a breakout season in the sprint hurdles, recording the top three times in school history in the 55-meter hurdles, including the school record mark of 7.74 in the season opener at the Texas Tech Open on Jan. 14.

Grimes earned her second team All-American accolades in the 100-meter hurdles and ran a personal-best time of 12.99 at the Red Raider Open earlier in the season- the fastest wind-aided time in school history.

As far as the upcoming season goes, Grimes said she plans to start strong.

"I need to break some time barriers so I can spend the rest of the season maintaining and being consistent," she said. "Then I'll have to break out of my comfort zone toward the end."

Grimes said a huge goal for her is to earn first team All-American in the future.

"What I have already achieved is a great honor; I never in my life expected to do this well. I came in and just started to excel in hurdles," she said. "I have had so many people follow me since last season and it just shows what a great program and fans we have at Tech."

Grimes said the best part about running track is the way her teammates motivate each other.

Grimes said her coaches have also motivated her to be the best she can be.

"Coach [Dion] Miller is the best hurdles coach I've ever had," she said. "He has taught me everything I know. He has taken what I came in with and broken it down and worked individually on every part of my running ability."

"[Head] Coach Wes Kittley is always encouraging and is positive and gets me motivated," she said. "He's just an awesome person to run for."

Kittley said he is excited for Grimes' upcoming senior season.

"She's our school record holder," he said. "We are counting on her to make the NCAA finals this year and expecting her to have another breakout season."

Grimes said she believes her family to be the biggest and most important motivator to her success.

"I think my family is the main reason I have done so well," she said. "They come to every single meet, they are there the day before and sometimes even days after. They are my biggest fans and I couldn't have asked for a better seven people to support me."